He chuckles, eyeing the sleek, form-fitting garment with a raised eyebrow. “It looks... complicated.”
After exploring the museum for what feels like hours, we decide to head back out into the city. Our next stop is a market, or a store, as we hear people call it, where vendors sell everything from fresh produce to furniture.
Thaldiran is fascinated by the variety of food available, tasting samples of fruits and pastries with childlike enthusiasm. “These flavors,” he marvels, savoring a piece of exotic fruit, “they’re unlike anything I’ve ever tasted.”
I grin, delighted to see him enjoying himself. To think, two days ago we were mortal enemies and I was fighting him, kicking and screaming. It’s funny how things can change in a heartbeat. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? The world has changed so much, but some things remain universal. Like the joy of discovering something new.”
Like discovering I’m half angel. The thought creeps unbidden into my head. I push it away, stuffing it down where it can sit until I can’t ignore it anymore.
We continue to explore, encountering more of those mysterious gadgets we saw people using earlier. Thaldiran decides to purchase one from a vendor, eager to figure out its purpose.
“It’s called a smartphone,” the vendor explains, seeming to take delight in how thoroughly perplexed he’s made us.
“A smartphone,” I echo, trying out the unfamiliar term. “What does it do?”
“Well, it’s a mobile device that allows you to communicate over long distances. The touch screen will respond to your finger, allowing you to type messages, browse the internet, and more. Here, let me demonstrate.”
With the flick of a switch, the phone lights up, and an image appears on the surface. Words scroll across the screen, and asthe vendor continues to explain, the meaning is beginning to sink in.
Thaldiran looks both fascinated and baffled as he experiments with the device. “It’s like magic, but without the magic,” he remarks.
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Well, that’s as good of an explanation as any.”
Thaldiran’s brows furrow in concentration as he studies the smartphone, his thumb swiping across the surface.
“What are you trying to do?” I ask, peering over his shoulder.
“Well, the shopkeeper said we can research anything on these, right? So, I’m searching for the same name that’s on this card that we’ve been using. The wraiths must’ve been planted in this world by the Shadowlord. That means he has access to a portal. If we can find where the wraiths are staying, I bet we find the portal.”
“Look at you, being all clever,” Astryl replies, linking her arm in mine.
“Yeah, yeah, thanks.”
“Hey, it was a compliment. Now, how about we get something to eat and go from there?”
“You’ve been eating all day,” I tease, nudging his arm.
He snorts, tossing his arm around me and guiding me out of the market. “Listen, I don’t love everything about this place, but the food is a pretty big plus.”
“I can’t argue with that,” I reply, leaning into his embrace.
He laughs and squeezes me tighter and my heart does a backflip in my chest. This is dangerous territory. We should be solely focused on getting back home and defeating the Shadowlord, not the way his arms feel wrapped around me, or the way his laughter makes my skin tingle. How I’ve never been so happy in my life. But as we stroll down the street and I watch his mouth move as he talks, all I can think about is how hislips felt on mine; howrightwe felt together this morning in the shower.
For a moment, the world outside fades away, and all that matters is the connection between us. Despite knowing we need to stay on task, a part of me can’t help but wonder if this bond between us is more than just a fleeting attraction. Could it be that we’re fated to be together, our destinies intertwined?
With a lingering glance at Thaldiran, I realize that no matter what lies ahead, this journey has already changed us both. Our connection feels inevitable, as if written in the stars long before we ever met.
And maybe, finding and defeating the Shadowlord isn’t just about saving the realms, but also about discovering where we truly belong—with each other.
Chapter Eight
Thalidran
As we settle into our seats, the waiter hands us menus filled with more unfamiliar dishes. I glance at Astryl, a playful grin on my face. “So, what do you recommend? More futuristic croissants or perhaps a slice of that mysterious round, flat bread we saw at the market? What was it called? Ah, pizza!”
Astryl chuckles, and the way her stunning green eyes sparkle, even in the dim lighting of the restaurant, makes my heart race.
“I think I’ll pass on the pizza, thank you. But how about we try one of their local specialties? The waiter mentioned something called ‘sushi,’ and it sounds intriguing.”
